Quick Answer: Male factor is involved in approximately 40–50% of infertility cases, yet it is still the most under-investigated aspect of fertility workups in India. At Janisthaa IVF Center Bangalore, every couple’s evaluation begins with a complete male fertility assessment — because treating infertility without fully evaluating both partners means treating only half the problem.
If you and your partner have been trying to conceive without success, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about male infertility: the causes, what the diagnostic tests involve, what they cost in Bangalore, and what treatment options are available — from simple lifestyle changes through to TESA/PESA and ICSI.
What Is Male Infertility?
Male infertility refers to the inability of a man to father a child after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. It arises when there are problems with sperm production, sperm quality, sperm delivery, or a combination of these factors. Male factor is entirely responsible for infertility in approximately 20–30% of couples who struggle to conceive, and is a contributing factor in an additional 20–30%.
The critical point: in most cases, male infertility produces no obvious symptoms. Men with severely low sperm counts often feel completely healthy. The only way to know is a semen analysis.
Causes of Male Infertility
Medical Causes
- Varicocele— the most common treatable cause of male infertility. Enlarged veins in the scrotum increase testicular temperature, damaging sperm production. Present in approximately 35–40% of infertile men.
- Azoospermia (no sperm)— can be obstructive (a blockage preventing sperm release, often treatable) or non-obstructive (a production problem, requiring specialised assessment).
- Oligospermia (low sperm count)— fewer than 15 million sperm per mL; significantly reduces natural conception odds.
- Infections— sexually transmitted infections, epididymitis, or orchitis (including mumps) can permanently damage sperm-producing tissue or create blockages.
- Hormonal imbalances— low FSH, LH, or testosterone reduces sperm production. Thyroid disorders also affect sperm quality.
- Genetic conditions— Klinefelter syndrome (XXY), Y-chromosome microdeletions, and cystic fibrosis gene mutations can cause severe or complete absence of sperm production.
- Undescended testes— if not corrected in early childhood, can significantly impair sperm production.
- Previous cancer treatment— chemotherapy and radiotherapy can permanently reduce sperm production. Sperm banking before treatment is strongly recommended.
Lifestyle and Environmental Causes
- Smoking— damages sperm DNA and reduces count and motility
- Excessive alcohol— lowers testosterone and impairs sperm production
- Obesity— increases scrotal temperature and disrupts hormonal balance
- Chronic stress— elevates cortisol, suppressing testosterone
- Anabolic steroids— suppress the body’s natural testosterone production, often causing severely low sperm counts
- Heat exposure— prolonged use of hot water baths, saunas, tight underwear, or laptops on the lap can reduce sperm quality
- Pesticide and heavy metal exposure— occupational exposure in certain industries
Symptoms and Signs of Male Infertility
Most men with fertility problems have no obvious symptoms. However, the following signs may indicate an underlying issue:
- Difficulty conceiving after 12 months of trying (6 months if partner is over 35)
- Reduced facial or body hair, or other signs of low testosterone
- Pain, swelling, or a lump in the testicular area (possible varicocele)
- Reduced sexual drive or erectile dysfunction
- History of testicular injury, undescended testes, or prior groin surgery
- Semen that is very watery, discoloured, or absent
How Male Infertility Is Diagnosed
Step 1: Medical History and Physical Examination
A detailed review of reproductive history, prior illnesses (including childhood illnesses like mumps), surgeries, medications, occupational exposures, and lifestyle factors. Physical examination checks for varicocele, testicular size and consistency, and any structural abnormalities.
Step 2: Semen Analysis
The foundation of male fertility diagnosis. A semen sample (collected after 2–5 days of abstinence) is evaluated for:
- Sperm count (normal: ≥15 million/mL, or ≥39 million total per ejaculate)
- Motility (normal: ≥40% motile, ≥32% progressively motile)
- Morphology (normal: ≥4% normal forms using Kruger strict criteria)
- Volume (normal: 1.5–5.5 mL)
- Liquefaction, pH, and white blood cell count
Step 3: Hormonal Profile
Blood tests measuring FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, and thyroid hormones. Elevated FSH with absent sperm suggests a production problem. Low testosterone with low FSH and LH suggests a hormonal (pituitary) cause.
Step 4: Advanced Tests (When Indicated)
- Scrotal ultrasound— detects varicocele, cysts, or other structural issues
- DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI)— measures damage to sperm DNA; elevated DFI is associated with recurrent miscarriage and IVF failure even with normal semen parameters
- Karyotype analysis— checks for chromosomal abnormalities
- Y-chromosome microdeletion test— identifies genetic causes of azoospermia
- Testicular biopsy— determines whether sperm production is occurring in cases of obstructive azoospermia
Male Infertility Diagnosis Cost in Bangalore 2026
Test | Approximate Cost (INR) | Purpose |
Basic semen analysis | ₹500 – ₹1,500 | First-line test for all men |
Advanced semen analysis (strict morphology) | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 | More detailed morphology assessment |
DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) | ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 | Recurrent miscarriage, unexplained IVF failure |
Hormonal profile (FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin) | ₹2,000 – ₹4,000 | When count is very low or absent |
Scrotal ultrasound | ₹1,000 – ₹2,500 | Varicocele, structural assessment |
Genetic testing (karyotype + Y-deletion) | ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 | Azoospermia, severe oligospermia |
Male Infertility Treatment Options
Lifestyle Changes (First-Line for Mild Cases)
For men with mildly reduced sperm parameters and no identifiable medical cause, lifestyle optimisation can produce meaningful improvement over 2–3 months (the time for a full sperm production cycle):
- Stop smoking and significantly reduce or eliminate alcohol
- Achieve and maintain a healthy BMI
- Avoid excessive heat to the scrotal area
- Supplement with antioxidants: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, CoQ10, and L-carnitine have evidence for improving sperm parameters
- Manage stress and ensure adequate sleep
Medications and Hormone Therapy
Hormonal imbalances causing low sperm production can often be corrected with targeted medication. Infections are treated with antibiotics. Specific hormonal protocols (gonadotropins) are used in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism to stimulate sperm production directly.
Surgery: Varicocelectomy and Vasectomy Reversal
Varicocelectomy — surgical correction of varicocele — has been shown to improve sperm count and motility in men with clinical varicocele and abnormal semen parameters. It is performed as a day procedure. Vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy) can restore fertility in men who had a previous vasectomy, with success rates depending on the time elapsed since the vasectomy.
TESA / PESA: Surgical Sperm Retrieval
For men with azoospermia (no sperm in the ejaculate), sperm can often be retrieved directly from the testis or epididymis:
- TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)— a fine needle is used to aspirate sperm directly from testicular tissue. Performed under local anaesthesia. Cost: ₹15,000–40,000.
- PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)— sperm is aspirated from the epididymis, used for obstructive azoospermia. Cost: ₹15,000–35,000.
Sperm retrieved by TESA or PESA is used immediately for ICSI. These procedures are available at all three Janisthaa IVF centres in Bangalore.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) with IVF
ICSI is the standard fertility treatment for all forms of significant male factor infertility. A single sperm is selected and directly injected into a mature egg, bypassing the natural fertilisation process. In experienced centres, ICSI achieves fertilisation rates of 70–85%.
ICSI is used alongside IVF and is appropriate for: low sperm count, poor motility, poor morphology, high DNA fragmentation, surgically retrieved sperm, and unexplained fertilisation failure in previous IVF cycles. ICSI cost in Bangalore is typically ₹1,00,000–1,80,000 per cycle.
Male Infertility Treatment Cost in Bangalore 2026
Treatment | Approximate Cost (INR) | When Used |
IUI (with male factor) | ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 per cycle | Mild-moderate male factor, clear fallopian tubes |
ICSI + IVF (per cycle) | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,80,000 | Moderate-severe male factor |
TESA (sperm retrieval) | ₹15,000 – ₹40,000 | Azoospermia (no sperm in ejaculate) |
PESA (sperm retrieval) | ₹15,000 – ₹35,000 | Obstructive azoospermia |
Varicocelectomy | ₹40,000 – ₹80,000 | Clinical varicocele affecting sperm count |
Sperm freezing (banking) | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 (+ annual storage) | Before cancer treatment, surgery, or as backup |
When to See a Male Fertility Specialist in Bangalore
You should seek a complete male fertility evaluation if:
- You and your partner have been trying to conceive for 12 months (or 6 months if your partner is over 35) without success
- Your partner has had two or more miscarriages (sperm DNA fragmentation is a possible contributing factor)
- You have a history of testicular injury, varicocele, undescended testes, or prior cancer treatment
- You have symptoms of hormonal imbalance: reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, or reduced body hair
- A previous semen analysis showed abnormal results
Why Choose Janisthaa IVF Center for Male Infertility Treatment in Bangalore?
At Janisthaa IVF Center, male fertility is never an afterthought. Every couple who comes to us for fertility treatment receives a complete evaluation of both partners before any treatment plan is formed. This is not standard practice everywhere — but it should be.
Dr. Shwetha works closely with urologists and andrologists for complex male infertility cases, and our embryology laboratory has the expertise to work with low-quality, surgically retrieved, or DNA-damaged sperm to achieve fertilisation using advanced ICSI techniques.
We offer male fertility evaluation and treatment at all three Bangalore locations: Basaveshwar Nagar, RR Nagar, and Malleshwaram.
Book your fertility evaluation today and take the first step with clarity and confidence. Call +91 95911 11407 or email drshwetha@janisthaaivf.com.
Also see: IVF Cost in Bangalore 2026 | Normozoospermia and Sperm Health | Signs of Healthy Sperm
